Dry cleaning apparatus



July 7, 1936. R. A. HETZER 2,046,782

DRY CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed July 13, 1932 4 4 INVENTOR FIG RUSSELL A. HETZER Patented july 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The American Laundry Machinery Company,

Norwood, Ohio, a corporation oi Ohio Continuation oi application Serial No. 822,291.

July 13, 1932, now abandoned.

This application May 16, 1934, Serial No. 725,963

11 Claims. ((71. 68-38) My invention relates to fabric cleaning ystems of the character shown in my copending applications, Serial No. 462,061, filed June 18, 1930, and Serial No. 599,127, filed March 16, 1932, now Pat- 5 cut Number 1,993,407, for Method and apparatus for cleaning fabric, the present application being a continuation of my application for Dry cleaning apparatus, filed July 13, 1932, Serial No. 622,291, now abandoned.

,9 The present invention has for its object to provide means for scavenging the sump tank by removal of the obnoxious fumes or vapors from the cleaning solvent which ordinarily escape to the atmosphere when the sump tank is cleaned 5 out, whereby the clean-out cover may be removed from the sump tank at any time and sludge or the like may be removed therefrom without the fumes or vapors escaping to the atmosphere, thereby avoiding any necessity of considerable de- 39 lay after removing the clean-out cover before the sludge is removed, and which eliminates practically all waste of the cleaning solvent by recovering and saving the cleaning solvent mixed with the sludge which otherwise escapes or is lost.

Various other objects and advantageous features of my invention will be seen in the following description and one embodiment thereof may be seen in the accompanying drawing wherein similar characters of reference designate corre- 3Q sponding parts, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the fabric cleaning portion and sump tank of a cleaning system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified arrangement; Fig. 3

is a. view showing a treating compartment and sump tank wherein the treating compartment is provided with a plurality of connections with the sump tank, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the sump tank, showing removable sections for admitting 9 air and for cleansing the sump tank.

In preparing to clean out the sump tank of a fabric cleaning system as disclosed in my said copending applications, all possible cleaning solvent is first pumped or drained out of the sump tank.

45 However, a considerable quantity of the solvent remains in the sediment or sludge which settles to the bottom of the sump tank during the operation of the cleaning apparatus and which cannot be removed either by pumping or draining, but

only by opening the sump tank.

My invention provides means for causing suction at a point remote from the sump tank so that when the clean-out cover is removed or a sufliciently large opening to said tank is other- 55 wise provided there will be a constant inrush of room air into and through the sump tank, this air absorbing cleaning solvent in vapor form from the sediment or sludge, and passing through a condenser where the solvent is condensed out of the air and is drained into a receptacle provided therefor, the air then passing off to atmosphere. Thus, all fumes or solvent vapors are drawn away from the clean-out opening and the sediment or sludge can be removed from the sump tank without the obnoxious fumes or vapors being lost or 10 causing inconvenience to the operator by escape to the air.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing which shows diagrammatically a fabric cleaning system as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 462,061, filed June 18, 1930, the treating compartment i is connected to a condenser 2 by suitable piping 3 having lint screens I therein, the condenser 2 being connected to a fan or air moving means 5 by a pipe 6. An air heater I is connected, to the treating compartment l by way of a pipe 8 and with the discharge side of the fan or air moving means 5 by means of a pipe 9, the fan 5 also being connected at its discharge side with the atmosphere by way of a pipe i0. Suitable valves :5 ii and I2, both shown closed, connected by a link i3 whereby they may be simultaneously operated, are provided for opening and closing ports in the pipes 8 and 9. A resilient means such as the spring lib normally tends to move the valve I I to closed position.

As shown, cleaning solvent from the treating compartment I may be drained to a sump tank I through valve 20 and pipe l8 and trap l9. Likewise, the condensate from the condenser 2 ordinarily drains to the sump tank It through a pipe 2|. However, a valve 22 is provided in the pipe 2| that may be operated by link 23 to close pipe 2| simultaneously with movement of valve l2 to close the pipe 9, to thereby prevent return 40 01 condensate from the condenser 2 to the sump tank I! while said sump tank is being scavenged. Such condensate may be collected in a receptacle 2 or may be conducted to another receptacle (not shown) through a pipe 25 under the control of a valve 26.

In ordinary operation 0! the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, as described more fully in my copending applications referred to, the work to be cleaned is placed in the treating compartment and there agitated in the presence of a bath of detergent, after which the detergent is drained to the sump tank by way of pipe l8. With valve 12 in its dotted line position and valve II in its full line position, Fig. 1, the fan is then started and circulates the air and vapors from the treating compartment to the condenser and thence to the heater and so on, the detergent being condensed in the condenser and drained to the sump. After the work is thus thoroughly dried, it is deodorized by moving valve l2 to its full line position and valve ii to its dotted line position, Fig. 1. The fan continuing in operation, fresh air now enters at the valve l I and is conducted to the treating compartment, thence to the condenser and through the fan to atmosphere by pipe in.

For conjoint operation of valves II and 12, for moving them together back and forth between the two positions described, they are connected by the link l3 before referred to. However, in this apparatus the connection between valves Ii and I2 is made disconnectible so that during removal of sludge and scavenging of the.

sump tank the two valves may be independently operated. As shown, the disconnectible connection is between the link l3 and valve ll, link l3 having a hook-shaped end portion In to receive an arm on the operating lever lid for valve ll, said valve being under the influence of a tension spring ilb. when it is desired to remove the sediment or sludge, indicated at A, from the sump tank, the link I3 is raised so as to disconnect its hook portion from the arm of lever Ila, and eachof valves I I and I2 is moved to the full line position, Fig. 1. It is understood that at this time the treating device I has been emptied of fabric tank, preferably in a manner to cause it to move. over practically the full length of the sump tankto the air outlet therefrom. In the present sys-' tem the clean-out door is located at one end of the sump tank. It comprises two halves, to-wit, upper and lower clean-out doors 2!, 23 each separately bolted to the body of the sump tank in the manner shown. The air outlet for the sump tank in Fig. l is by way of pipe l3, to-wit, at its right hand end. Consequently, the clean- -out door is located at the opposite end. In removing sludge the upper clean-out half door 23.

is first removed, as shown in Fig. 1. 'I'hereupon fan 5 is started and a large volume of atmospheric air enters the sump at the clean-out opening and sweeps through the sump tank over the sludge therein, absorbing and carrying away any volatile detergent, carrying the same through pipe I 3 and by way of the washer I, pipe 3 and condenser 2 to the fan and thence by way of pipe II to the atmosphere. In the condenser the detergent is condensed and drains therefrom either to the receptacle 23, which is now closed by valve 22 against communication with the sump, or, the condensate is conducted by pipe 23' and valve 26 to a suitable receptacle not shown.

After scavenging the vapors in the manner described, the lower clean-out door 29a may also be removed and the sludge A can be raked, drained or otherwise removed through the cleanout door opening.

If desired, a supply of air for scavenging purposes may be admitted to the sump tank through an opening or supply connection distinct from the clean-out door or clean-out opening itself. For example, one door may be provided for air Supply for scavenging purposes and another door for cleaning out the sludge. Indeed, these systems are usually provided with a vent to atmosphere, such as by way of a pipe 3| which may be provided with a valve 32. In ordinary working operation of this system valve 32 is open and the sump tank is vented to atmosphere. During scavenging, particularly if the pipe 3| is of sufiiciently large cross sectional area, the valve 32 may also be left open and scavenging air permitted to enter through pipe 3!. For this purpose the vent pipe 3| may be connected to the sump at a point remote from the connection to the sump of pipe l8. However, if pipe 3| is of small size, as is usually the case, scavenging air enters through some other connection, such as through the clean-out door opening or a separate scavenging air opening and valve 32 may be closed, although not necessarily so.

By operating this system in the manner described, it is possible in a very short time to scavenge from the sump all volatile detergent and immediately proceed with removal of the sludge, whereas in prior systems it has usually been necessary to first open the sump tank and permit the vapors to dissipate themselves before sludge removal is attempted. The lower section 29a of the cover 29 prevents the wet sludge from flowing out when air is admitted but when the sludge has become substantially dry, this lower section is also removed and a rake may be inserted to withdraw the sludge. During this entire period, the draft through the sump tank is away from the operator.

Fig. 2 shows the invention applied to a modified arrangement of cleaning apparatus similar to that shown in my Patent Number 1,993,407, before referred to. Here the parts of the apparatus are more compactly arranged and no fresh air connection or supply is shown other than that provided by admission of air to the sump tank by way of the clean-out opening or pipe 3| and valve 32. In this system, the fan 40 communicates by pipe 32 with atmosphere and by pipe 33 with heater 33, thence by pipe 39 with washer 33, thence by conduit 33 with condenser 33, in the lower portion 33 of which are baiiies 52, 53 shielding the conduit 3| to the fan inlet. Valve 3| controls the flow either to the heater or to atmosphere and valve 3Ia the air inlet to the washer. said valves being connected by the same disconnectible connection as in Fig. 1, and also being connected by link 31 with valve 38 in the drain pipe 33 from the condenser, which also is provided with pipe 53 and valve 5| leading to another receptacle (not shown). The washer 35 drains into the sump 31 by pipe 33 having valve 33 and trap 33 and the sump is provided with upper and lower clean-out doors 32, 32a and with an outlet pipe 21 having valve 28.

Fig. 3 shows another modification in which a separate connection is provided between the sump 33 and washer 33 for permitting scavenging air current to flow from the sump to the washer. The usual drain connection is by way of valve 33, pipe 53 and trap 31. The special scavenging connection is by way of a pipe 33 provided with a valve 33, the pipe 33 opening into the sump at a point remote from the clean-out door 30, No or other opening where scavenging air is admitted. This arrangement avoids the necessity of causing the scavenging air current to pass to the washer by way of the trap or filter 31.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for recovering volatile deter- 76 gents from sludge in a sump tank comprising a fabric treating circuit wherein fabric is subjected to a volatile detergent, including a treating compartment, a condenser and air moving means, all communicating with each other to provide a circuit through which air may be passed for fabric treating purposes, a longitudinally extending sump tank provided with a removable closure located above the surface of sludge which normally forms in said tank, a connection between the sump tank and the condenser, and means for closing the circuit between the condenser and the inlet side of the treating compartment and opening an outlet from the condenser to the atmosphere, whereby air may be drawn into the sump tank when the removable closure is open, the solvent vapors in the sludge carried to the condenser and the air delivered to atmosphere, the cleanout opening and the intake of the connection between the sump tank and the condenser being remote from each other to thoroughly scavenge the sump tank of detergent vapors.

2. Fabric cleaning apparatus of the character described, comprising a fabric treating circuit wherein fabric is subjected to the action of 9. volatile detergent, including a treating compartment, a condenser, and an air moving means.

means connecting said devices together in a closed circuit through which air may be circulated for treating fabric, a sump tank communicating with said circuit, said circuit having an outlet to atmosphere, and means for introducing air from the atmosphere above the sludge normally accumulating in said sump tank; conducting the same to the condenser and air moving means and thence to said air outlet, for scavenging the sump of volatile detergent.

3. Fabric cleaning apparatus, comprising a fabric treating circuit wherein fabric is subjected to the action of a volatile detergent, including a treating compartment, a condenser, and an air moving means, means connecting them in a closed circuit through which air may be circulated for treating fabric, said circuit having an outlet to atmosphere, and a sump tank provided with a clean-out opening located above the level of the sludge normally accumulating in said sump tank and communicating with said condenser, whereby air may be admitted to said sump tank and delivered through said condenser to said air moving means and discharged to said outlet for scavenging the sump tank of volatile detergent and condensing the same at said condenser.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a treating compartment, a condenser, and air moving means communicating with each other for repeated circulation of air therein, a sump tank having an air inlet from the atmosphere located above the level of sludge normally accumulating in said tank, drain' connections from the treating compartment and condenser to the sump tank, and interconnected means for simultaneously closing communication from the air moving means to the treating compartment and for opening communication from the fan to atmosphere and for closing the drain connection from the condenser to the sump tank.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a treating compartment, a condenser, air moving means, and a heater communicating with each other in the order named for repeated circulation of air therein, a sump tank having an air inlet, drain connections from the treating compartment and condenser to the sump tank, and interconnected means for simultaneously closing communication from the fan to the heater and for opening communication from the fan to atmosphere and for closing the drain connection from the condenser to the sump tank.

6. Apparatus of the character described, com- 5 prising a treating compartment, a condenser, air moving means, and a heater communicating with each other in the order named for repeated circulation of air therein, a sump tank having an air inlet, drain connections from the treating compartment and condenser to the sump tank, means for simultaneously closing communication from the air moving means to the heater and for opening communication from the air moving means to atmosphere and for closing the drain connection from the condenser to the sump tank, and a normally closed air inlet in the connection from the heater to the treating compartment and disconnectible means for holding the same open when communication is established from the air moving means to atmosphere.

7. An apparatus for recovering volatile detergent from sludge in a sump tank comprising a sump tank, a condenser, a connection between said condenser and one end of said tank, said 25 tank having an opening at the opposite end in direct communication with the atmosphere, means for moving air from the atmosphere over substantially the entire surface of the sludge in said tank and conveying it through the condenser to the atmosphere.

8. An apparatus for removing volatile solvent from sludge in a sump tank comprising a longitudinally extending tank, a condenser in communication with one end of said tank, said tank having an opening in its opposite end in direct communication with the atmosphere, and means for drawing air in a longitudinal direction over the entire surface of said sludge and forcing it through said condenser to the atmosphere whereby volatile detergent vapors may be drawn into said condenser.

9. An apparatus for removing volatile detergent from sludge in a. sump tank comprising a longitudinally extending sump tank, a condenser connected to one end of said tank, a connection from said condenser to the atmosphere, a removable closure for one end of the tank extending substantially the entire width of said tank, means for drawing air when said closure is removed over substantially the entire surface of the sludge in said tank and conveying it through the condenser to the atmosphere, and means for recov ering the condensed solvent.

10. An apparatus for removing a volatile deter- 55 gent from sludge in a sump tank comprising a longitudinally extending sump tank, a condenser in communication with one end of said tank and a removable sectional closure including upper and lower portions for the opposite end of said tank, 60 and means for drawing air through the tank when the upper closure is removed, conveying it through said condenser and discharging it to the atmosphere, thereby drying the sludge and recovering the solvent, and access being provided to the dried sludge when the lower closure is removed.

11. An apparatus for removing a volatile detergent from sludge in a sump tank and providing access for the removal of the dried sludge comprising a longitudinally extending sump tank,

a condenser in communication with one end of said tank, a connection from said condenser to the atmosphere, a removable sectional closure including upper and lower portions for the end of said tank extending substantially the entire width of said tank, whereby the removal of the upper section of said closure provides an opening extending substantially the entire width of said tank, means for drawing air through said opening over substantially the entire surface of the sludge in said tank and thence through the condenser and discharging it to the atmosphere, and the removal of the lower portion of said closure providing access to said tank whereby the dried sludge may be'readily removed.

RUSSELL A. HETZER. 

